# The Algebraic Mind

- Author: [Gary Marcus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus.md)
- Quotes: 8
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind

## Quotes

> [S]ymbol-manipulation consists of three... hypotheses... [M]ind [1] represents abstract relationships between variables... [2] has a system of recursively structured representations... [3] distinguishes between mental representations of individuals and mental representations of kinds. ...[T]hese can stand or fall separately. Any given model... can be consistent with one subset of the... hypotheses... or all...

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/s-ymbol-manipulation-consists-of-three.md)

> The problem is that... connectionism has become synonymous with... back-propogation. ...[T]hat... type of network... occupies... a small corner in the... space of possible network models. ...[A]dequate models of most likely lie in a less explored part of the space...

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/the-problem-is-that.md)

> I am not an anti-connectionist; I am opposed only to a... subset of possible connectionist models.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/i-am-not.md)

> [S]ymbol manipulating models... use logical functions like AND and OR... [T]hose functions can easily be built in—or, implemented in—connectionist nodes.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/s-ymbol-manipulating-models.md)

> ... taken... broadly... could help us answer... what the mind's basic building blocks are and how those... could be implemented in the brain.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/taken-broadly-could.md)

> [C]onnectionism... encompasses models that have sought to explain how symbol-manipulation can be implemented in a neural substrate...

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/c-onnectionism-encompasses-models.md)

> I have often encountered audiences that... want me to prove... mind manipulates symbols. ...I can do no such thing. At most... symbol-manipulation is consistent with the facts and... the alternatives thus far... are inadequate.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/i-have-often.md)

> I focus on... multilayer perceptrons because these are... discussed when researchers consider the relation between connectionism and symbol-manipulation.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gary-marcus/the-algebraic-mind/i-focus-on-multilayer.md)